It is most unfortunate that the despicable xeons known as the eldar will be infecting the Gothic sector starting next week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O74nSsaZ9Q. As we learn in the Imperial Voidsmen Uplifting Primer (Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer) IIUP the eldar are despicable, untrustworthy and decadent dying race.

The despicable eldar (you may not say the word eldar without a negative with it) are more sophisticated than orks and more autonomous than tyranids, but they are a cowardly race that stands no chance again the Holy form of Man. The issue is that these filthy aliens will not be "brought to battle." The sneak about as is their cowardly nature.

What is a newbie to do? Well, for my perspective, I think the mighty Dauntless Light Cruiser (with speed upgrade) and escorts may be a gift from the god-Emperor. As these aliens are fast, vary fast. Imperial Captains who have experience slaughtering these aliens say they "dance" in the void. They employ a unapproved xeons technology known as the hole-field. Basically it causes all shots to miss as the dying Eldar ship is not in the space we can see. In the table top (TT) the ship is often "near by" but the holo-field hides its actual position. Thus you would think things like the Nova Cannon which are area impact weapons should make good work of them as well as torpedo spreads which try and cover an area. I think weapons that "always hit" might also be good eventually when they are brought close enough so that you can actually tell where they are. Another point. If the pass implementation are any guide expect the devs to have made the despicable Eldar too powerful. In each race release they have gone back and nerfed them soon after release. Thus do not loose faith in the god-Emperor as the eldar appear to run while, eventually the Holy genius which is Man will overcome this dying race and once again lead Man ever forward.

Thus my newbie thoughts on a counter before the Eldar are released are light cruisers with speed mods and torpedoes, nova cannon equipped cruisers and any technology which would allow you to fix their location. Upgraded Escorts may also be a good counter to the incredibly quick despicable eldar.

Hm...by all means, you can try, it will be...amusing to watch your fleets attempt to fight the speed and maneuverability of the eldar, by using your most fragile ships and attempting to make their speed match ours, i wish you...luck in your efforts.

Well, it really depends how close to TT the despicable Eldar end up. Holo fields gave a 2+ save against everything that wasn't a battery, which just got an accuracy decrease. Also, they could move, fire, then move out of your gun range in a single turn. These two mechanics meant that long range gunnery was what you needed against the xenos filth: overlords, tyrants and battleships. Fighter defence was also pretty important because of torps and bombers. I think the Emperor class will be nice, due to its long scan range and the likelihood of cloaking shenanigans.

"Perfidious Eldar! These aliens had the stars in their grasp and now are left to sift the dust of their once fabulous realm. For all their intellect and mysticism they could not contain the beast within them, nor tame the wild monsters of the Shadow. Why should we pay them any heed?"

"Perfidious Eldar! These aliens had the stars in their grasp and now are left to sift the dust of their once fabulous realm. For all their intellect and mysticism they could not contain the beast within them, nor tame the wild monsters of the Shadow. Why should we pay them any heed?"

- Grünwald, Ordo Xenos

Oh we doing quotes?

"What do Humans know of our pain? We have sung songs of lament since before your ancestors crawled on their bellies from the sea."-Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), p. 4

This pretty much sums up my experience on the Steam forums, and some threads here

Eldrad_Ulthran wrote:Hm...by all means, you can try, it will be...amusing to watch your fleets attempt to fight the speed and maneuverability of the eldar, by using your most fragile ships and attempting to make their speed match ours, i wish you...luck in your efforts.

Perhaps not match but be fast enough to harry them into a better position. I mean the eldar are fast and thus you can't just let them go where they will or you will loose. Perhaps trying to herd them. The eldar should be fragile, thus even hits by escorts will be noticed.

HERO wrote: "What do Humans know of our pain? We have sung songs of lament since before your ancestors crawled on their bellies from the sea." -Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), p. 4

This pretty much sums up my experience on the Steam forums, and some threads here

As I have said often I am not that much into the games, but love the novels and the lore (fluff). There is a book I am reading right now called Valedor by Guy Haley. It goes over in detail the Eldar ships in battle against the tyranids. It is a great book, and has a lot of space combat from two craftworlds the strange Iyanden and warlike Biel-Tan and you will not believe this the Dark Eldar of Commorragh cooperate (for a minute) against the tyranids of Hive Fleet Leviathan and Hive Fleet Kraken. The Eldar are shown to be ungodly fast. Their combined fleets destroy two hives fleets with minimal damage. Their aspect warriors hunt Lictors successfully. What they do with the Hive Fleet is just amazing. Mostly it is the Dark Eldar who take the damage, as they are reckless in the extreme, always loving to close with the enemy (and you will not believe this) take prisoners of the tyranids for their gladiator pits.

Great read if you want to get a feel before this most despicable race is released upon the noble Imperial citizenry of the Gothic sector.